South West

Bath Networks

Manager: Sue Norton - 07951 721 703 - susan.norton@keyring.org

KeyRing provides individual support and group meet ups for people in Bath who have a learning disability, autism or need support with their mental health.

We used to have a weekly hub, but everyone got too busy to come along! Now people organise the meet ups, trips and events they want. This could be a cuppa together in a local cafe, a trip to somewhere you want to visit, or a meeting with a speaker you'd like to invite. You can still get support there if you need it.

In between, you'll meet with your KeyRing worker each week. They will talk with you about what you want to achieve and you'll work together to make a plan.

They can also put you in touch with other local groups and organisations such as health centres, health connectors, micro providers and community centres.

Your support is flexible. When you first join you might need to meet with your support worker every week. After a while you might need less support and want to spend more time living your life - that's great! You can get a bit less support from us but still stay a part of KeyRing. You might even find yourself sharing your new skills with others.

If you think KeyRing could be right for you, you can contact us yourself or be referred by someone who already works with you, like a social worker.

For more information contact Sue Norton on 07951 721 703 or at susan.norton@keyring.org.

KeyRing in Bath is funded by the council for people who get housing benefit. You can speak with us about all of the different ways of accessing and funding our support including using a personal budget (direct payment or individual service fund) or through self funding.

Somerset Networks

Manager: Sue Norton - 07951 721 703 - susan.norton@keyring.org

Support in Somerset to make life bigger.

KeyRing support is ideal for people who need a hand to build their skills and be more independent. It’s about more than that though. You will be part of a network of people who also receive support. You’ll plan activities and meet ups doing things together so that you are out living life instead of waiting around for a support worker.

You will agree with your support worker what goals you want to work towards. They will help you to think bigger. Maybe you’ve always struggled to get on top of your finances. You might start by setting up payment plans and end with a plan to save up for your first trip abroad. You might want to be healthier. So you start with a shopping list to buy more fruit and move on to a plan to set up a walking group and share your journey.

Anything is possible when you think big.

Is KeyRing for me?

KeyRing is ideal for you:

• If you want flexible support that is based around your goals and needs
• If you want to meet other people in your local area
• If you live in your own place or are looking to make a move
• If you have a learning disability (this is part of our contract but do get in touch with us if you have questions about whether you could join)

How much support will I get?

We usually see people in their own home about once a week. Sometimes you might need a bit more support. For example, when you first join you might need to see us a few times each week. We can offer more support if something happens in your life too. We know that life can be a bit of a roller coaster so we can be flexible.

Some weeks you might be too busy with your new friends or on your holidays. That’s fine. That’s what happens when life gets bigger.

Some people might need to have extra hours of support built into their plan for a long period of time. We can talk to you about this.

As well as support at your home, you can get support from KeyRing workers at our regular meet ups. Feel free to bring along that scary looking letter to ask for some advice. You’ll also get support from other people too as you get to know other KeyRing Members. You might share experiences and opinions. You’ll look out for each other and hopefully you’ll make friends.

How do I get involved?

Great! You’re in. You might want to start by popping along to one of our regular meet ups. You can contact Mark for the latest hub information: mark.turner@keyring.org / 07908 818 022

My Hub - every Wednesday morning at Frome Medical Practice from 10 till 12

Drop in Hub - every Friday at the Cheese and Grain - 9 till 11

Boccia - every other Thursday at the Cheese and Grain - 13.30 till 14.30

Just give Sue a quick call to let us know you’d like to come along: 07951 721 703 - susan.norton@keyring.org

If you’re not quite ready to meet everyone or want to ask more questions just give us a shout and we will chat it all through with you or with someone you trust. We can also chat with you about the different ways our support is funded.